Alitame

Discovered by Pfizer, Inc., alitame (brand name Aclame™ ) is a sweetener formed from the amino acids L-aspartic acid and D-alanine, and a novel amine.

Relative Sweetness: 2,000 times sweeter than sucrose.

Metabolism: The aspartic acid component is metabolized normally. The alanine amide passes through the body with minimal metabolic changes. Alitame is such an intense sweetener, its caloric contribution to the diet is insignificant.

Assets: Alitame has a clean, sweet taste and offers good stability at elevated temperatures and over a broad pH range. It is highly soluble in water and when combined with some other low-calorie sweeteners, it has a synergistic sweetening effect.

Limitations: Though alitame has excellent shelf life, prolonged storage in some standard acidic solutions at elevated temperatures may result in off-flavors.

Applications: Alitame has the potential to be used in almost all areas where sweeteners are presently used -- e.g., baked goods and baking mixes, hot and cold beverages, dry beverage mixes, milk products, frozen desserts and mixes, fruit preparations, chewing gums and candies, tabletop sweeteners, toiletries and pharmaceuticals.

Safety: Extensive animal and human studies have been conducted to support the safety of alitame. The petition for regulatory approval demonstrates its safety for human consumption.

Status: A petition for alitame's use in a broad range of foods and beverages has been filed in the U.S. Alitame is approved for use in a variety of food and beverage products in Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and the People’s Republic of China. Approval also is being sought worldwide.